Know all rules and regulations regarding on-campus living. The RA position is a professional one that requires you to know exactly what students can and cannot do. Universities have manuals listing expected behaviors of students living in dorms, as well as their visitors. It is the RA's job to enforce these rules and this is best done the more knowledgeable the RA is. Make certain you have an updated copy of all handbooks and manuals given to students and RAs.
Establish a good rapport with the students in your charge. Though as a RA you are expected to be in charge, it is not at all necessary to be overly aggressive or demanding when enforcing the rules and regulations. Be sure to maintain an underlined atmosphere of respect so that when a situation occurs that needs your assistance, students will feel free to come to you with their queries. Another way to establish a good rapport is to have a personal supply of things, such as toiletry items, that students might need in a bind. This way residents feel comfortable bringing different situations to your attention.
Take your position seriously. Even though you are a student yourself and might have friendly relationships with residents in your dorm, maintain a professional persona as an RA. One way to achieve this perception is by being organized. Organization includes, but isn't restricted to, clearly posting all informational resources that residents need to be made aware of in a common place, such as library and computer lab schedules. Residents know you take your position seriously when you provide them with additional resources.